Sumner Police ask for help finding vehicle in deadly hit and run

Authorities are asking for the public's help in identifying the car that struck and killed a 23-year-old teacher and former high school basketball star in Sumner on Saturday night.

Rachel Givens died Monday evening from injuries sustained when she was hit around 11 p.m. Saturday while crossing the street to meet friends at the Log Cabin Pub on East Valley Highway.

Sumner Police Deputy Chief Jeff Engel tells KIRO Radio's Dori Monson that they are currently working to enhance surveillance footage from the scene, and collecting more video from various area businesses in attempts to identify the vehicle involved.

"What we're hoping to do is put a timeline together that narrows it down to the vehicle that is seen in those videos and get good enough video that can help us get a make and model and possibly identify a driver."

So far, authorities can say that the vehicle they're searching for appears to be a small, dark-colored sedan, that likely has significant front-end damage.

The accident team is still trying to piece together exactly what happened. Engel said police could use help from witnesses observed in the surveillance video.

"We had vehicles that did stop, not sure what they saw, but if they did see something that night and recollect that, they should be calling us," Engel said.

Monson told Engel he remembers coaching against Givens, who was a great high school basketball player.

"I saw so many of her teammates in the news footage at the hospital. It sounds like she touched a lot of lives," said Monson.

After having the opportunity to meet a number of Givens' friends over the past few days, Engels said he got the same impression.

"She was well loved and a nice young lady and it's very tragic."

Anyone with any information about what happened on the road or about the suspect vehicle is asked to call the tip line at (253) 299-TIPS (5678).

Tacoma/Pierce County Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for any information that leads to an arrest in the case.

About the Author

Jamie Skorheim
Whether it's floating on Green Lake, eating shrimp tacos at Agua Verde, or taking weekend drives out to the Cascades, she loves to enjoy the Pacific Northwest lifestyle as much as humanly possible.